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Acts 20

Acts 20:28 KJV (With Strong’s)

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28
Take heed
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
prosecho (Greek #4337)
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
KJV usage: (give) attend(-ance, -ance at, -ance to, unto), beware, be given to, give (take) heed (to unto); have regard.
Pronounce: pros-ekh'-o
Origin: from 4314 and 2192
a therefore
oun (Greek #3767)
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
KJV usage: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
Pronounce: oon
Origin: apparently a primary word
unto yourselves
heautou (Greek #1438)
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV usage: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
Pronounce: heh-ow-too'
Origin: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
to all
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
the flock
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
poimnion (Greek #4168)
a flock, i.e. (figuratively) group (of believers)
KJV usage: flock.
Pronounce: poym'-nee-on
Origin: neuter of a presumed derivative of 4167
, over
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
the which
hos (Greek #3739)
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
Pronounce: hos
Origin: ἥ (hay), and neuter ὅ (ho) probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588)
the Holy
hagios (Greek #40)
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
KJV usage: (most) holy (one, thing), saint.
Pronounce: hag'-ee-os
Origin: from ἅγος (an awful thing) (compare 53, 2282)
Ghost
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
hath made
tithemi (Greek #5087)
θέω (theh'-o) (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses) to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from 2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while 2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate)
KJV usage: + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
Pronounce: tith'-ay-mee
you
humas (Greek #5209)
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
KJV usage: ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
Pronounce: hoo-mas'
Origin: accusative case of 5210
c overseers
episkopos (Greek #1985)
a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: bishop, overseer.
Pronounce: ep-is'-kop-os
Origin: from 1909 and 4649 (in the sense of 1983)
, to feed
poimaino (Greek #4165)
to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser)
KJV usage: feed (cattle), rule.
Pronounce: poy-mah'-ee-no
Origin: from 4166
the church
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ekklesia (Greek #1577)
a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
KJV usage: assembly, church.
Pronounce: ek-klay-see'-ah
Origin: from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564
d of God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, which
hos (Greek #3739)
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
Pronounce: hos
Origin: ἥ (hay), and neuter ὅ (ho) probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588)
he hath purchased
peripoieomai (Greek #4046)
to make around oneself, i.e. acquire (buy)
KJV usage: purchase.
Pronounce: per-ee-poy-eh'-om-ahee
Origin: middle voice from 4012 and 4160
e with
dia (Greek #1223)
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV usage: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Pronounce: dee-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
his own
idios (Greek #2398)
pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate
KJV usage: X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own).
Pronounce: id'-ee-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
blood
haima (Greek #129)
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred
KJV usage: blood.
Pronounce: hah'-ee-mah
Origin: of uncertain derivation
.
a
Col. 4:17• 17And say to Archippus, See to the ministry which thou didst receive in [the] Lord that thou fulfil it. (Col. 4:17)
;
1 Tim. 4:16• 16Take heed to thyself and the teaching; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt save thyself and those that hear thee. (1 Tim. 4:16)
c
Heb. 13:17• 17Obey your leaders, and be submissive, for they watch over your souls, as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this [were] unprofitable for you. (Heb. 13:17)
d
Prov. 10:21•  (Prov. 10:21)
;
Jer. 3:15•  (Jer. 3:15)
;
John 21:15‑17• 15When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs.
 16He saith to him again a second time, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Tend my sheep.
 17He saith to him the third time, Simon [son] of Jonah, dost thou dearly love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Dost thou dearly love me? and he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I dearly love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15‑17)
;
1 Peter 5:2‑3• 2Tend the flock of God that [is] among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity but willingly, not for base gain, but readily,
 3nor as lording it over your allotments, but becoming models of the flock. (1 Peter 5:2‑3)
e
Eph. 1:14• 14who is earnest of our inheritance, for [the] redemption of the purchased possession unto [the] praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:14)
;
Col. 1:14• 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins; (Col. 1:14)
;
Heb. 9:12,14• 12neither by blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, entered once for all into the holies, having found an everlasting redemption.
 14by how much rather shall the blood of the Christ, who by [the] eternal Spirit offered himself spotless to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve a living God? (Heb. 9:12,14)
;
1 Peter 1:18‑19• 18knowing that not by corruptibles, silver or gold, ye were redeemed, from your vain course ancestrally handed down,
 19but by precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, (1 Peter 1:18‑19)
;
Rev. 5:9• 9And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast bought [us] to God by thy blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation; (Rev. 5:9)

More on:

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Blood,
Church,
Flock,
Ghost,
God,
Holy Ghost; Holy Spirit,
Overseer

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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Take.
2 Chron. 19:6‑7•  (2 Chron. 19:6‑7)
;
Mark 13:9• 9{i}But ye,{/i} take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to Sanhedrims, and to synagogues: ye shall be beaten, and shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. (Mark 13:9)
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Luke 21:34• 34But take heed to yourselves lest possibly your hearts be weighed down with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of life, and that day come upon you suddenly unawares, (Luke 21:34)
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1 Cor. 9:26‑27• 26I therefore so run, as not uncertainly (so combat, as not beating air.
 27But I discipline my body and lead [it] captive, lest by any means, having preached to others, I myself should be reprobate. (1 Cor. 9:26‑27)
;
Col. 4:17• 17And say to Archippus, See to the ministry which thou didst receive in [the] Lord that thou fulfil it. (Col. 4:17)
;
1 Tim. 4:16• 16Take heed to thyself and the teaching; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt save thyself and those that hear thee. (1 Tim. 4:16)
;
Heb. 12:15• 15looking carefully lest [there be] Anyone falling short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up give trouble and through it [the] many be defiled; (Heb. 12:15)
all.
Acts 20:29• 29I know that after my departure grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; (Acts 20:29)
;
Song of Sol. 1:7‑8•  (Song of Sol. 1:7‑8)
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Isa. 40:11•  (Isa. 40:11)
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Isa. 63:11•  (Isa. 63:11)
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Jer. 13:17,20•  (Jer. 13:17,20)
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Jer. 31:10•  (Jer. 31:10)
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Ezek. 34:31•  (Ezek. 34:31)
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Mic. 7:14•  (Mic. 7:14)
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Luke 12:32• 32{i}Fear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom.{/i} (Luke 12:32)
;
1 Peter 5:2‑3• 2Tend the flock of God that [is] among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity but willingly, not for base gain, but readily,
 3nor as lording it over your allotments, but becoming models of the flock. (1 Peter 5:2‑3)
over.
Acts 13:2• 2And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. (Acts 13:2)
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Acts 14:23• 23And when they chose for them elders in each assembly and prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord on whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)
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1 Cor. 12:8‑11,28‑31• 8For to one, through the Spirit, is given [the] word of wisdom, and to another [the] word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
 9to a different one faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
 10and to another operations of powers, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits; to a different one kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.
 11But all these things operateth the one and the same Spirit, dividing in particular to each as he pleaseth.
 28And God set some in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then powers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of tongues.
 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all powers?
 30Have all gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
 31But desire earnestly the greater gifts, and yet I show you a way of exceeding excellence. (1 Cor. 12:8‑11,28‑31)
;
1 Tim. 4:14• 14Neglect not the gift that was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elderhood. (1 Tim. 4:14)
overseers.
Phil. 1:1• 1Paul and Timothy, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi with overseers and deacons. (Phil. 1:1)
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1 Tim. 3:2• 2The overseer therefore must be irreproachable, husband of one wife, temperate, sober, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach, (1 Tim. 3:2)
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1 Tim. 5:17• 17Let the elders that preside well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they that labour in word and teaching. (1 Tim. 5:17)
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Titus 1:7• 7For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not passionate, not quarrelsome, not a striker, not a seeker of base lucre; (Titus 1:7)
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Heb. 13:17• 17Obey your leaders, and be submissive, for they watch over your souls, as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this [were] unprofitable for you. (Heb. 13:17)
;
1 Peter 2:25• 25For ye were going astray as sheep, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)
Greek.
to feed.
Psa. 78:70‑72•  (Psa. 78:70‑72)
;
Prov. 10:21•  (Prov. 10:21)
;
Isa. 40:11•  (Isa. 40:11)
;
Jer. 3:15•  (Jer. 3:15)
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Ezek. 34:3•  (Ezek. 34:3)
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Mic. 5:4•  (Mic. 5:4)
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Mic. 7:14•  (Mic. 7:14)
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Zech. 11:4•  (Zech. 11:4)
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Matt. 2:6• 6{i}And thou Bethlehem, land of Juda, art in no wise the least among the governors of Juda; for out of thee shall go forth a leader who shall shepherd my people Israel.{/i} (Matt. 2:6)
;
Matt. 2•  (Matt. 2)
:*Gr:;
John 21:15‑17• 15When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs.
 16He saith to him again a second time, Simon [son] of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I dearly love thee. He saith to him, Tend my sheep.
 17He saith to him the third time, Simon [son] of Jonah, dost thou dearly love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Dost thou dearly love me? and he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I dearly love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15‑17)
;
1 Peter 5:2‑3• 2Tend the flock of God that [is] among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity but willingly, not for base gain, but readily,
 3nor as lording it over your allotments, but becoming models of the flock. (1 Peter 5:2‑3)
the church.
1 Cor. 1:2• 2to the assembly of God that is in Corinth, c [persons] sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all that call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, theirs and ours; (1 Cor. 1:2)
;
1 Cor. 10:32• 32Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews or Greeks, or to the assembly of God; (1 Cor. 10:32)
;
1 Cor. 11:22• 22Have ye not then houses for eating and drinking? or despise ye the church of God, and put shame on those that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I do not praise. (1 Cor. 11:22)
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1 Cor. 15:9• 9For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God; (1 Cor. 15:9)
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Gal. 1:13• 13For ye heard of my conversation formerly in Judaism, that I was excessively persecuting the assembly of God and ravaging it; (Gal. 1:13)
;
1 Tim. 3:5,15‑16• 5(but if one knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he care for God's assembly?),
 15but if I should tarry, that thou mayest know how one ought to behave in God's house, seeing it is a living God's assembly, pillar and groundwork of the truth.
 16And confessedly great is the mystery of piety: he who was manifested in flesh, was justified in Spirit, appeared unto angels, was preached among Gentiles, was believed on in [the] world, was received up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:5,15‑16)
which he.
Psa. 74:2•  (Psa. 74:2)
;
Isa. 53:10‑12•  (Isa. 53:10‑12)
;
Eph. 1:7,14• 7in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of offences, according to the riches of his grace,
 14who is earnest of our inheritance, for [the] redemption of the purchased possession unto [the] praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:7,14)
;
Col. 1:14• 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins; (Col. 1:14)
;
Heb. 9:12‑14• 12neither by blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, entered once for all into the holies, having found an everlasting redemption.
 13For if the blood of goats and bulls and a heifer's ashes sprinkling the defiled sanctifieth for the purity of the flesh,
 14by how much rather shall the blood of the Christ, who by [the] eternal Spirit offered himself spotless to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve a living God? (Heb. 9:12‑14)
;
1 Peter 1:18‑19• 18knowing that not by corruptibles, silver or gold, ye were redeemed, from your vain course ancestrally handed down,
 19but by precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, (1 Peter 1:18‑19)
;
1 Peter 2:9• 9But ye [are] a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye might set out the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness unto his marvellous light; (1 Peter 2:9)
;
Rev. 5:9• 9And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast bought [us] to God by thy blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation; (Rev. 5:9)
• It is a discourse which marks the cessation of one phase of the assembly—that of apostolic labors—and the entrance into another-its responsibility to stand fast now that those labors had ceased. (“Acts 20” by J.N. Darby)
• What can be more dangerous than activity with others and where there is carelessness as to ourselves? (“Acts 20:28” by W. Kelly)
• “Over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.” It is rightly rendered in the R.V., “in the which.” They were thus made to feel that they were in and of the flock of God like every other saint. Nevertheless no one ought to deny that the responsibility of every elder was to rule. (“Acts 20:28” by W. Kelly)
• The meaning that results from this would be “the blood of His own One,” that is, of Christ, His Son, rather than “His own blood.” (“Acts 20:28” by W. Kelly)
• In this case the apostle employs unusually touching terms to enforce on the elders to shepherd the assembly of God, which He acquired to Himself through the blood of His own One, special personality being merged in a purchase so beyond measure near and precious. (“Acts 20:28” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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28
Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, wherein the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which he has purchasedb with the blood of his ownc.

JND Translation Notes

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b
Middle voice; reflexive. see Note e, Heb. 1.3.
c
I am fully satisfied that this is the right translation of ver. 28. To make it a question of the divinity of Christ (which I hold to be of the foundation of Christianity) is absurd. It has been questioned whether "of his own" can be used thus absolutely in the singular. But we have it in John 15.19, and in the neuter singular for material things, Acts 4.32. The torturing of the passage by copyists arose, I believe, from not seeing, the real sense of it; a touching expression of the love of God.

W. Kelly Translation

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28
Take heeda to yourselves and to all the flock in whichb the Holy Spirit set you overseers to tend the assembly of God, which he purchased with his own bloodc.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The copula "therefore" seems an early addition, but the best omit it.
b
The words "over the which" go a little beyond what the inspired word really says the Holy Spirit made them overseers.
c
Or, "the blood of his own one." "With His own blood" is beyond controversy a difficult expression, and especially in the best representation of the text, which deserves careful examination. It is not meant that there is the least cloud over the truth that He Who shed His blood for us was God. If the Saviour here was not God, His purchase would have only a creature’s value, and must be wholly insufficient to acquire on God’s part the assembly as it was, yea, as it is. Being a divine person, His gaining it to Himself by blood has an infinite and eternal efficacy. The critical reading seems the right one (haimato tou idiou).